Acrospiroma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Acrospiroma?
A primary care doctor is often the first doctor a person sees about a skin lump. Many primary care doctors can remove small skin growths themselves. If the lump is large, in a tricky spot, or hard to identify, the doctor will refer the patient to a dermatologist, who can perform the biopsy and removal.
What it is
An acrospiroma is a rare, noncancerous growth that starts in the sweat glands of the skin. It usually appears as a small, firm bump. Most acrospiromas are harmless, but a doctor should check any new skin lump.
Symptoms
The most common sign is a small, firm, round bump, often less than half an inch wide. It can be skin colored, reddish, or bluish, and grows slowly over months or years. Many cause no pain, though some feel tender. In rare cases, the growth can break down and form an open sore. If a lump bleeds, grows quickly, or changes, it needs a doctor's attention.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not know exactly what causes acrospiromas. They come from sweat gland cells that grow into a lump. They are rare and most often found in adults, appearing on the face, scalp, neck, chest, or arms, areas with many sweat glands. Men and women can both get them.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor will examine the bump and ask how long it has been there and whether it has changed. Looking at the skin alone is not enough, since many growths look similar. The usual way to confirm the diagnosis is a skin biopsy, in which all or part of the lump is studied under a microscope.
Treatment
The usual treatment is surgery to remove the lump, a small procedure often done in a doctor's office with numbing medicine. Once fully removed, the lump usually does not come back, though some may return. Because these growths are noncancerous, removal is rarely an emergency.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor about any new skin lump that does not go away. Get checked sooner if a lump grows quickly, hurts, bleeds, leaks fluid, or changes color. These signs do not mean the lump is cancer, but it should be looked at.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a good first stop for a skin lump. These doctors often have longer appointments, making it easier to examine a lump carefully and answer questions. If the doctor can remove the growth in the office, they may manage the whole problem directly; otherwise, they will refer the patient to a dermatologist and help coordinate follow up.
Common questions
Is an acrospiroma cancer?
No, an acrospiroma is noncancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body. In very rare cases, a growth that looks like an acrospiroma turns out to be a cancerous sweat gland tumor. That is why doctors check the removed lump under a microscope.
Does removal hurt?
The area is numbed before the lump is removed. Most people feel little more than the numbing shot, and some short-lived soreness afterward is common.
Will the lump come back after removal?
Most acrospiromas do not return once they are fully removed, but a small number can come back. A new bump in the same spot should be checked by a doctor.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
